The 57th annual Little Current Lions Club Haweater Weekend features a returning midway, a new "Haweater Express" shuttle, a car show, traditional favorites like the parade and fireworks, and family events.
LITTLE CURRENT鈥擡ach year the Little Current Lions Club looks to add something new to their Haweater Weekend mix鈥攁nd this year there are two exciting new additions, fitting additions to the Fiesta-Haw theme. First is that the Midway is returning and second is the introduction of the Haweater Express, a shuttle bus that will assist in moving people around to the many events across the town.
The Midway will be set up by 4 pm in the back parking lot of the NEMI Recreation Centre and goes until 9 pm on the Friday, from 11 am to 8 pm on Saturday and from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 kicks off the weekend with a Thursday night trivia and wing night and continues on with live music from 8 pm to 12 am on Friday.
George Williamson and friends are providing music at the cenotaph on Friday evening, starting at 6 pm.
The Haweater Express will shuttle between three stops: the NEMI Recreation Centre, the old OPP station downtown and the Low Island skate park. Payment by donation. The shuttle will run from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday.
鈥淗aweater Weekend has now been a tradition for 57 years and our past and present Lions couldn鈥檛 be prouder of what it has become,鈥 said Lion President Bruce Burnett. 鈥淲hen people see everything that happens over the course of this weekend, it鈥檚 hard to believe that it is organized by a club of just 17 members.鈥
鈥淲e are also fortunate to work alongside many other organizations throughout the year,鈥 said President Burnett referencing the many community volunteers that step up to help. 鈥淵our support and willingness to work together make a tremendous difference, and we truly appreciate everything you do.鈥
鈥淥f course, none of this would be possible without the support of our families, friends, volunteers, sponsors and community partners who step forward year after year to help make sure everything runs smoothly,鈥 he said. 鈥淭o each and every one of you, thank you.鈥
This year鈥檚 Haweater Weekend is packed with activities for the whole family. One exciting addition is our brand-new car show, taking place Saturday in the arena parking lot. The Lions are also bringing back many of the old crowd favourites, including the ever-popular Cardboard Boat Race, the softball tournament and two dances on Saturday night.
Families will once again find plenty to enjoy at Low Island, where there will be inflatable bouncy castles, giant slides, paddle boats and activities for children of all ages throughout the weekend. There truly is something for everyone as the Lions have strived to make Haweater Weekend a truly family-oriented event.
鈥淲e鈥檙e also excited to welcome back the second annual SCB Haweater Open bass tournament, which this year has moved closer to the main docks in Little Current, bringing even more excitement and activity to our waterfront,鈥 noted Lion President Burnett.
As is the tradition, the downtown street in Little Current will be closed to traffic and vendors will be set up to provide that true Haweater Weekend experience, with food and carnival-style merchandise galore.
For the running crowd there is the annual Breakaway Sports & Cycle Haw 5k Run, which gets underway at 10am on Saturday, Yoga on the Docks at 9 am on Saturday and 11 am on Sunday, perfect for a more sedate workout and, of course, there is beach volleyball, this year on a new and improved court.
The Little Current Yacht Club will be holding the Dave Naples Memorial Hawberry Poker Run for the boating crowd, where contestants can enter with any small watercraft or dingy for a chance to win a cash prize. The $30 entry fee includes a barbecue dinner for two. The event sets out from the West Pavilion at 11 am.
A special two-day farmers market will be set up both Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm.
You can also get your psychic on with Psychic Chantele at Summer Breeze in downtown Little Current from 9 am to 8 pm both Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday an ecumenical hymn sing takes place at Soldiers Park by the cenotaph (bring your own chair and wear a hat). In case of rain this event will move to the Little Current United Church at 5 Robinson.
The ever-popular Little Current Lions Haweater Weekend parade heads out from Harbour View Road at 12:30 pm and ends at Manitoulin Centennial Manor.
Finally, there is the annual Sunday night street dance and the extremely popular Thunder over the Channel fireworks. Don鈥檛 forget to donate to next year鈥檚 fireworks!